By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, to present himself for arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had filed an appeal against the judgment of the Kogi state high court, which restrained the EFCC from prosecuting Bello over allegations of N80 billion money laundering.

The appeal court overturned the decision of the Kogi state high court, describing it as “scandalous” and stating that it was clear that the purpose of the case was to shield Bello from his criminal trial.

On February 9, the Kogi high court granted an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from “continuing to harass, threaten to arrest, detain, prosecute” Bello, his former appointees, and staff or family members, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

Since then, efforts to arrest and arraign the former governor, who is currently in hiding, have not been successful.

The appeal court described the judgment by the Kogi high court as “scandalous”.

The court also held that no court has the power to preclude a law enforcement agent from performing its statutory functions.

Bello is required to appear for his arraignment in Charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, FRN VS ALI BELLO & ANOR, before taking any other step in the matter.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470,089.88k.